Frying Pan Comparison UK – Which is the Best
Buy?

Our frying pan comparison table 2013 blets you be the judge. Here, at a glance, are the best
buy frying pans 2013 – as voted by buyers and users.

Based on our survey results, you'll find the users’ overall satisfaction ratings per model – its marks out of
ten - plus a run-down of the facts owners tell us are important – like is this frying pan induction hob
compatible?

Check out the best fry pans – as voted by UK users - from Castey, Le Creuset, Judge and Tefal. Sadly, no Green
Pan, Multicook or Kitchen Craft pans made it into the top ten this time.

In our quest to find the UK’s best frying pan, we’ve surveyed over one thousand seven hundred users. Our
frying pan comparison table is based on the top 10 pans and four hundred and thirty one
responders.

What you see here are the top 10 frying pans for 2013. What they give you is your kitchen’s single most useful
cooking pan. No wonder the humble fry pan is the number one camping utensil.

The best of the bunch, based on overall user rating is the Castey Vulcano skillet (User rating 9.87/10). The
Vulcano has got the lot: It’s made of aluminium so offers consistent results, is non-stick, works on an induction
hob and you can even take the handle off and shove it in the oven or under the grill.

It’s also got sufficient depth to make it suitable for sautéing and sauce making. It looks good and will last
for years.

Are you on a budget? Yes? Check out the Tefal Sensorelle (User rating 9.61/10). It’s a no-nonsense frying pan
made of aluminium for even heating and has a “thermo spot” to help you achieve consistent results.

It, too, has a non-stick coating, is dishwasher safe and has sufficient depth for cooking more than just
fry-ups. Sadly, it’s not induction hob compatible.

Guide to Our Frying Pan Comparison UK
Table

Overall Users’ Satisfaction Rating
The key question we asked in our user survey was this: “You’ve been using your pan for three months or more.

Given your experience to date, how would you rate your pan overall on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high)? Think
about you food results, durability of construction, ease of cleaning and value for money”.

We then took all these ratings for a given model and found an Overall Users Satisfaction Rating per model.

A best buy frying pan will have a score of 8 or more. A score of 7 suggests a good design marred by poor
reliability. A score of less than 7 suggests a product has both design and reliability faults. It’s probably a
waste of your money.

Expect to payA guide at the time of publishing. This is based on a 24cms fry pan. Smaller
diameter pans will cost less, larger pans proportionately more.

Pan sizes availableFrying pans come in 2cm sizes from 18cms to 32cms. The most popular size
is 24cms. Here’s a guide to capacity:

20cms 1 person
24cms 2 persons
28cms 3 persons

If you go bigger than 24cms make sure the pan won’t spill over onto other hobs on your cooker.

MaterialThe pans in our top 10 are made of aluminium, anodised (hardened) aluminium or
steel sealed with hard enamel paint on the outside.

Aluminium heats uniformly across the base and sides.

Gas, electric or ceramic hob compatibleAll the top 10 frying pans here work with gas,
electric and halogen hobs.

Induction hob compatibleIf you are using an induction hob you are cooking with magnetism!
The induction causes magnetic friction in the pan’s metal and heats it up – yet the hob remains relatively
cool.

To work on an induction hob a frying pan needs a base made of steel which is magnetic. Aluminium is not
magnetic. A popular aluminium pan like the Tefal Sensorelle won’t work on an induction hob.

Some aluminium frying pans have steel incorporated into their base. That’s why the Castey Vulcano or Le Creuset
work with induction hobs.

Solid hob compatibleA solid, raised hob range like an Aga requires the base of the frying
pan to be flat on the hob. All the top 10 pans here have flat bases.

Non-stick coatingEg Teflon coating. It resists food sticking and so burning, making it
easier to clean a pan after use.

Removable handleAdds utility to a pan as you can bake or grill the contents without
worrying about sticky out or very hot handles.

Oven safeYou can bake or grill the contents of the pan. The handle will not melt – but it
will get hot – beware.

LidYou pay a premium for a lid. The alternative is a splatter guard. The Clean Zone
Silicone splatter guard performs the roles of guard, lid and trivet.

Dry fryIf you have a non-stick frying pan you can practice dry frying with the right foods.
For example you might fry bacon without adding oil (if you are lucky).

Dishwasher safeThis pan is generally OK to put in a dishwasher.

Compare the Best Frying Pans in Britain AND Grab a
Bargain

When you’ve compared frying pans you’ll want the best at the right price.

We can guide you to the right solution for you frying, griddling or sautéing needs.

So rustle up a bargain omelette baking, quick fry-up, sauce mixing or stir frying marvel with the help of the
Best Buys Compared UK price search service (check out “who’s cheapest” on the navigation
bar above or below).